You’re wandering through the Commonwealth, minding your own business, when you stumble upon a farm. It looks like every other settlement in Fallout 4, but the people here are terrified. This is Finch Farm. They’ve lost their son, Jake, to a gang of pyromaniac raiders called The Forged. Honestly, it’s one of the most high-stakes early-game quests you’ll find. Fallout 4 Out of the Fire isn't just a "go here, kill that" mission; it’s a test of your Charisma, your combat prep, and how fast you can hit the Stimpak button when things go sideways.
The Forged aren't your typical wasteland junkies. They worship fire. They hang out at Saugus Ironworks, a massive, rusted industrial nightmare filled with molten metal and guys wearing heavy cage armor. If you head in there under-leveled, you’re going to get roasted. Literally.
Getting to Saugus Ironworks Without Dying
Most players pick up this quest by talking to Abraham Finch at Finch Farm. He's desperate. He tells you Jake took the family heirloom—a legendary flaming sword called the Shishkebab—and joined the cult. You've got to get that sword back, and if you're feeling merciful, bring the kid home too.
The trek to Saugus Ironworks is short but dangerous. It's located just northeast of Hub City Auto Wreckers. Warning: Hub City is crawling with Gunners who have a Fat Man. If you hear a whistle, run. Once you reach the Ironworks, the exterior is guarded by Forged members with flamethrowers and Molotovs.
Don't just charge the front door. Use the catwalks. If you have a sniper rifle, pick off the guards on the roof first. It’s basically a gauntlet of fire. Once you step inside the Saugus Ironworks interior, the atmosphere shifts. It’s orange, hazy, and claustrophobic. You’ll fight through several rooms of Forged members before reaching the Blast Furnace. This is where the real drama happens.
The Confrontation at the Blast Furnace
When you enter the final room, you’ll see Slag. He’s the leader of the Forged, wearing a full suit of Power Armor. He’s currently berating Jake Finch, trying to force him to execute a settler to prove his loyalty. This is the "make or break" moment for Fallout 4 Out of the Fire.
You have a few ways to handle this.
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If your Charisma is high, you can actually talk Jake down. There are several speech checks here. You can convince him that his family loves him or that the Forged are just using him. If you succeed, Jake will turn on Slag and help you fight. If you fail, or if you just start shooting, Jake might stay hostile or get caught in the crossfire.
Slag is a tank. He uses a Shredding Minigun or a Flamer depending on the distance. Because he's in Power Armor, aim for the Fusion Core on his back if you can get a flank. If not, psycho-jet is your best friend. Slow down time, aim for the head, and don't stop moving. The floor is literally lava in some spots—well, molten iron. Falling in is an instant death.
Why the Shishkebab Matters
Once Slag is dead, you loot his body for the Shishkebab. In previous games, the Shishkebab was a god-tier weapon. In Fallout 4, it’s a bit more niche but still incredibly cool. It deals both physical and energy (fire) damage.
Is it the best melee weapon in the game? Probably not—a fully upgraded Super Sledge usually wins on raw DPS. But for a "General of the Minutemen" or a "Pyromaniac" build, it’s iconic. Plus, it looks amazing in a display case at Home Plate.
Common Mistakes People Make in Out of the Fire
A lot of people accidentally kill Jake. It’s easy to do. You throw a grenade at Slag, the splash damage hits Jake, and suddenly the "Save Jake" objective fails. If you want the best ending for Finch Farm, use VATS to target Slag specifically.
Another big mistake? Forgetting the Bobblehead.
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Yes, there is a Picket Fences magazine and the Explosives Bobblehead in this building. The Bobblehead is on the catwalk in the Blast Furnace room, right near where Slag stands. If you leave without it, you have to fight your way back through respawned raiders later. Don't be that person. Grab it while the bodies are still warm.
The Aftermath at Finch Farm
After the smoke clears, talk to Jake. If he survived, he’ll be shaken. You then travel back to Finch Farm to talk to Abraham.
The rewards are solid:
- You get to keep the Shishkebab (usually).
- Abraham gives you a decent chunk of Caps.
- Finch Farm becomes an available settlement.
There’s a bit of nuance here, though. Abraham is a hard man. If Jake comes back, Abraham might still be a jerk to him. You can use another speech check to bridge the gap between father and son. It’s one of those rare moments in the Commonwealth where you can actually repair a broken family instead of just looting their corpses.
Is This Quest Glitched?
Sometimes. This is a Bethesda game, after all.
There’s a known bug where Slag won't initiate dialogue, or Jake will just stand there like a statue. If this happens, try reloading a save from just before you entered the Blast Furnace area. Also, make sure your companion isn't aggressive. Sometimes Piper or Strong will start blasting before the dialogue trigger can even fire, which ruins your chance to talk Jake down.
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Pro-Tips for Saugus Ironworks
If you’re playing on Survival Mode, Saugus is a nightmare. There are very few beds nearby. The closest safe spot is usually County Crossing or the Finch Farm itself once you clear the perimeter.
Bring fire-resistant armor. Asbestos Lining is a mod you can put on your chest piece that makes you immune to being set on fire. It makes the fight against Slag significantly easier because his primary source of "pressure" is the constant burn damage.
Also, look for the "Saugus Roof Key" on one of the named Forged members. It allows you to bypass some of the more annoying backtracking on your way out.
Actionable Steps for Success
To master Fallout 4 Out of the Fire, follow this specific order of operations:
- Check your Charisma: Put on a suit, some fashionable glasses, and a hat before entering the Blast Furnace. Every point counts for saving Jake.
- Clear the exterior first: Don't rush in. Snipe the turrets and the guards on the high ledges to avoid being flanked.
- Grab the Explosives Bobblehead: It’s on the final platform in the Blast Furnace room. It permanently increases your explosives damage by 15%.
- Loot the Magazine: The Picket Fences issue is in the same room, near the terminal. It unlocks new patio furniture for your settlements.
- Convince Jake, then kill Slag: Target Slag’s Fusion Core in VATS to force him out of the Power Armor or cause a massive explosion.
- Return the sword (or don't): You can technically keep the sword and lie about it, but returning it to Abraham usually results in him giving it back to you as a reward anyway.
This quest is a perfect example of why the Commonwealth is so compelling. It’s a mix of industrial decay, family tragedy, and high-octane combat. Whether you’re there for the loot or the lore, Saugus Ironworks is a landmark you can't afford to skip.